Page 13 - MidWeek - April 12, 2023

APRIL 12, 2023 MIDWEEK 13
PHOTO BY
Spam lovers, rejoice! The annual Waikīkī Spam Jam Festival is back in full force this year to celebrate the ever-delicious local staple.
It’s Spam, and this local staple will be the focus of a block par-
From 4 to 10 p.m. on April 29, Kalākaua Avenue — and specifi- cally the stretch between Seaside and Liliu‘okalani avenues —
While the pandemic prevented the block party from taking place the last few years, folks behind the scenes are eager to make up for lost time.
STORY BY
It’s simple, yet delicious. It’s a Hawaiʻi favorite that can be enjoyed during breakfast, lunch or dinner.
ty that everyone has been wait- ing for: the 19th annual Waikīkī Spam Jam Festival.
will be transformed into some- thing both delicious and electri- fying, lined with numerous food and retail booths, and entertain- ment stages as well.
“I’m just so excited to bring this back and just can’t wait to be out there on the streets, watching
everybody enjoy themselves,” says event co-founder Barbara Campbell. “Come down, enjoy some music underneath the stars and just enjoy all these
It’ll be all things Spam again when the Waikīkī Spam Jam Festival returns April 29.
PHOTOS COURTESY WAIKĪKĪ SPAM JAM FESTIVAL
the luncheon meat, noting that Hawaiʻi is the largest consumer of Spam in the country. “I think seven million cans of Spam are sold every year in our state.”
SEE PAGE 16
creative dishes.”
Guests are invited to discover
Participating restaurants include Duke’s Waikīkī, Hula Grill, Maui Brewing Co. and L&L Hawaiian Barbecue.
Attendees can snap a pic with the Spammy characters, who will be making their rounds at the festival.
unique meals that have been el- evated with the processed meat such as Spam pad thai, Spam fried rice, Spam katsu sandwich- es and, of course, Spam musubi.
“I feel like it’s so deeply rooted in our culture,” says Campbell of